Day Trip: Plenty to do on Christmas weekend

Amber Owens, The Baltimore Sun

National Harbor

Christmas on the Potomac at Gaylord National Resort

Visitors to the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor can marvel at the 60-foot glass tree, enjoy an indoor snowfall and walk through a winter wonderland sculpted by ice. The showcase of the season is 'ICE! Featuring DreamWorks' Merry Madagascar,' an attraction that features scenes of characters from the film helping Santa save Christmas — all carved in colorful ice. Other highlights include character meet-and-greets, gingerbread decorating and a DreamWorks-themed scavenger hunt.

'ICE! Featuring DreamWorks' Merry Madagascar' is open through Jan. 8. Admission is $25-$35 for ages 13 and older and $20-$30 for children age 12 and below. Children 3 and under are free. The Christmassy DreamWorks Experience and The DreamWorks Experience Value Package are available now through Jan. 8. One-night packages start at $149 per person and two-night packages start from $199 per person. Go to christmasonthepotomac.com or call 301-965-4000 for more information.

Frederick

25th Annual Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship

Frederick celebrates the holiday season and its religious diversity with a tour of its places of worship. Beginning at sunset, visitors to downtown Frederick can tour the clustered spires, enjoy Nativity scenes and listen to holiday choirs at more than a dozen historic and architectural sites.

The tour is 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26. Go to fredericktourism.org for more information.

Sandy Point

Lights on the Bay

Enjoy a drive through this scenic route featuring more than 60 animated and lighted displays alongside the Chesapeake Bay in Sandy Point State Park.

Lights on the Bay takes place now through Jan. 1., 5 p.m.-10 p.m., as weather permits. Admission is $14 per car, but several businesses are offering $2 discount coupons. Go to http://www.dnr.state.md.us for more information.

Alexandria, Va.

Christmas at Mount Vernon

Guests at George Washington's estate can enjoy a special daytime program with 12 Christmas trees, a gingerbread replica of the historic manor, chocolate-making demonstrations, an opportunity to tour the third floor of the mansion and a chance to meet Aladdin the camel. (Washington paid 18 shillings in 1787 to hire a camel to entertain his guests.)

Christmas at Mount Vernon is through Jan. 6, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. every day, including Christmas Day. Admission is $15 for adults and $7 for children 6-11 years old. Go to mountvernon.org for more information.

New York City

Deck the Halls Christmas Day Concert

Rap fans can bring some hip-hop holiday cheer to New York for a Christmas Day concert featuring Nicki Minaj, Lloyd Banks, GED and T-Weaponz. The concert takes place at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx.

The concert is at 8 p.m. on Dec. 25. Tickets start at $90 and are available at Ticketmaster and the Paradise Theater box office.